Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
  • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
  • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
  • B42D25/20—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof characterised by a particular use or purpose
  • B42D25/29—Securities; Bank notes
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10S283/00—Printed matter
  • Y10S283/902—Anti-photocopy

Definitions

• This invention relates generally to bogus or counterfeit document detection methods and, particularly to the method for printing or otherwise making a product document that will be nonreplicable by any scanning-type copying device such as a copying machine, video opticon, and the like.
• the gravure pattern is similar to that of intaglio with the exception being that rather than fine channels appearing between lines, the gravure etching consists of extremely small square - like cells laid out in a grid array.
• the ink is held within the line troughs or square wells and transferred to the print media, under high mechanical pressures, by capillary movement.
• the gravure printing process is generally used for catalogs, magazines, newspaper supplements, cartoons, floor and wall coverings, textiles and plastics.
• the philisophical motivation for the instant invention is twofold: first, in order to determine whether a document is counterfeit, it is not necessary to determine its authenticity — one only has to prove that a single element of the document is bogus; and second, a labored examination in order to determine a singular bogus element would be conducted best if . the document were to contain within itself the means that would prevent its replication. In order to achieve these two objectives, it was necessary for the instant inventor to blend his skill in printing with the knowledge of optics that is readily available to one of ordinary skill.
• the moire pattern When the screen reaches the exact angle to be located, the moire pattern appears greatly englarged and, in fact, turns either black or white. Any misalignment appears as an enlarged moire or secondary pattern; thus the screen angle indicator creates magnified images by interference in order to identify and locate or position a half tone screen at a given angle. It became apparent to the instant inventor, therefore, that the moire pattern, rather than as an indicator which is gradually removed from an image, may also be used as an indicator of some perhaps latent defect in a document. More appropriately, there had to be some way in which a pattern could be included in an image by printing it in a selected pattern.
• the background image if formed of the line and dot printed grid, would be rendered nonreplicable to any apparatus being used to record the view. It is this particular aspect of moire pattern creation that is used by the instant inventor to create this invention. Further, he also recognized that because the modern copy machine, whether it be a standard color tone copier or a laser printer, scanned the image to be copied with a fixed-pitch scanning system, it was unnecesary to devise overlay grid means. In fact, the modern replicator contains such a grid in the fixed - pitch, parallel scan format that is used to view the image to be replicated.
• the instant invention is therefore conceived to counteract a specific illegal threat, without " having to resort to legislative acts which would in some way hinder the technological growth and refinement of the photocopy machine industry, and its most noteworthy products. It consists in a product, a face-valued document (generally, but not always printed) that cannot be replicated by any known color copying system.
• the instant inventive method succinctly instructs the reader in both ways of producing the product and in a correlative method for determining whether a suspected document is a counterfeit that has been made from a noncopy- protected, authentic document which does not contain the nonreplicability factor inculcated by the present disclosure.
• the basic method of counterfeit protection teaches the inclusion of lines, dots and/or swirls embodied and integrally formed into art, pictures and other forms of images.
• the grid lines are made so as to differentiate minutely in vertical and/or horizontal pitch from the linear grids employed by the scanning mechanisms of the machines used to replicate these black - white or colored documents.
• scanning replicators are typically black and white optical reproduction systems, such as office copiers, color copiers, and opticons that are used in conjunction with video systems.
• Subclassed in this generic group are the new and increasingly common, laser color and black and white optical reproduction systems.
• any attempt at imitation or replication by means of a scanning-type copier will result in the generation of inteference patterns and tones which are readily discernable (by the untrained and naked eye) from the original (or authentic) document in that the aesthetics of the document are distorted, omitted or otherwise completely destroyed in the replication.
• the dark tones of the authentic document will copy darker, while the blurred or light to medium tones will copy lighter, whiter or completely disappear.
• a corollary to the primary method for making a non ⁇ replicable image is also inculcated by this disclosure.
• the counterfeit document no matter aesthetically pure it may appear to the naked eye, nonetheless contains included lines that already differentiate minutely in vertical and/or horizontal pitch from the authentic document's print format.
• the counterfeit copy now contains the seeds for its own detection if the instant inventor's correlative methodology is then applied.
• Such detection requires that the suspected counterfeit copy be first viewed and recorded by means of a scanning and imaging device such as a copy machine, a television opticon, or the like; and after such recording, comparing an authentic species of the original document with the recording of the suspected counterfeit and determining if the record of the suspected counterfeit reveals moire distortions relative to the authentic species. If so, the examining party will be able to confirm that the suspect document is indeed a counterfeit.
• a scanning and imaging device such as a copy machine, a television opticon, or the like
• this invention has both method and article of manufacture or product aspects. Further, in its method aspect this invention comprises the step of producing an electro- optically nonreplicable original certificate by providing on a matte a lineate pattern of visible image-defining lines which are of predetermined moire-producing pitch relative to an electro-optic copy machine scan protocol. Otherwise expressed, this method includes the preliminary step of determining the pitch of an electro-optic copy machine scanner.
• this aspect of the invention takes the form of a multicolor certificate such as a travelers cheque, banknote, food stamp, postage stamp, or other government or private organization official issue.
• the terms “general” “original” “legitimate” “legal” “legal tender” “first run” and “authorized” meand and intend noncounterfeit issue.
• the term “matte” designates or describes the paper cloth, parchment or other sheet material or tissue of which banknotes, travelers cheques, postage stamps, official documents and certificates and the like are made.
• Figure la is the pattern of lines, dots and swirls of an intaglio or gravure print
• Figure 1b is a grid overlay
• Figure lc is the view of Figure la through the grid overlay of Figure lb;
• Figure 2a is an intaglio print of horizontal, equidistantly spaced lines
• Figure 2b is the scanning pattern of a replicating machine
• Figure 2c is a mapping of Figure 2a produced by the scan lines of Figure 2b;
• Figure 3a is an illustration of the print pattern of a familiar printed image
• Figure 3b is the moire skewing of the Figure 3a print pattern
• Figure 3c is a blurring or defocusing of the Figure 3b pattern in anticipation of reconstruction.
• Figure 3d is the screened image of Figure 3c in preparation for reprinting.
• a typically printed pattern 10 consisting of various lines 12, dots 14 and swirls 16.
• Those of ordinary skill will readily understand that such an image may be printed in intaglio or gravure (more commonly rotogravure) and adaptations of these processes.
• any process of manufacture which represents visible images by periodically spaced lines, dots or swirls, whether or not printed, (say included by fibre or stain patterns) will produce a product giving satisfactory moire results.
• Methods of etching, photo engraving and plate manufacture are beyond the scope of the instant disclosure and shall no longer be referred to within this text.
• a grid overlay is revealed in Figure lb consisting of an array of parallel, equally spaced black stripes oriented orthogonal to a similar pattern of black stripes 18.
• the grid of Figure lb is analogous to the earlier mentioned snow fence pattern through which one might view a background image.
• Figure lc a distortion 20 in the Figure la pattern results as shown in Figure lc.
• the instant inventor defines the Figure lc pattern as a type of moire distortion pattern resulting from a mapping of the Figure la pattern by the function of the Figure lb grid overlay.
• Figure lc map would depict the compliment of the illustration 20 actually shown. It can also be readily seen that the entire grid of Figure lb is not required in order to obtain the desired results of Figure lc.
• the vertical portions 19 of the overlay grid are not required; indeed, the relative ease by which a horizontal grid overlay may be realized in the scanning-type replicating machine (or instrument) lends itself securely to its use in this invention.
• the pitch between printing lines and dots or between scanning lines of a replicating device shall be termed d in the case of the printing, and p in the case of the scanner.
• d the pitch between printing lines and dots or between scanning lines of a replicating device
• p the pitch between printing lines and dots or between scanning lines of a replicating device
• FIG 2a there is depicted a typical intaglio printing 30, much like the printing of Figure la, but less stylized.
• the lines 32 are separated by the pitch distance d; thus, they are parallel and equispaced.
• Figure 2b represents the scanning pattern 34 of any specifically identified replicating device such as a color copying machine, laser scanner or television opticon. Scanning on a very carefully controlled frequency, the scan lines 36 are parallel and have a constant pitch p.
• Figure 3b is the illustration 44 of what would be seen in the same detail of a counterfeit protected document having a pattern typical of the instant invention used in its production. It may be readily discerned that the replicated pattern 46 bears strong resemblance to that shown in Figure 3a.
• the pattern in 3b is deliberately defocused or blurred 48 as depicted in Figure 3c. After this blurring process, a counterfeiter would rescreen'the image to prepare a new etched plate in order to reproduce an authentic looking document.
• Figure 3c illustrates the Figure 3b pattern as it would appear blurred. However, were the counterfeiter now to screen the Figure 3c blurred pattern, the result would be the pattern 50 of Figure 3d.
• Figure 3d pattern 50 A cursory comparison of the Figure 3d pattern 50 to the detail 42 of Figure 3a evidences the futility of such a technique, if applied to a document prepared according to the teachings of the instant invention.
• Figure 3b rendering of the Figure 3a authentic document contains imaged areas that are anywhere from 35% to 50% reductions of the pristine image. Further, an attempt to replicate, on the offset press, the attempted reconstruction at Figure 3d will result in an image containing an additional 50 to 75% degradation in detail and hue.
• the instant inventor has taught the invention in terms of varying the pitch distance between image lines so as to "detune” them or create a dissonance between the print pattern in the document and the known frequency or pitch pattern of a scanning device. That is not to say however that an exacting print of such nature must always be had in order to embody the teachings of the inventor.
• a highly practical method is devised whereby the pitch in the printed document may be arbitrarily varied, thereby acquiring the benefits of the instant invention. This method is to simply change the dimension of lines and dots on a document so as to inherently vary the pitch between the various pattern elements.
• the instant inventor suggests that, after a document of the type contemplated herein has been printed, the medium upon which it is printed be dimensionally altered, generally by the application of heat. If performed on a suitable printing matte, the imprinted pattern will be subtly altered and the basic concept of the invention incorporated therein. It is recommended that a high quality, high rag content paper or a high quality rice paper such as is used in the printing of currency, be utilized.
• Another methodological corallary may be employed in cases where the scanning machine-replicator utilizes a scan line of greater than customary width.
• use of a document imaging process similar to that disclosed herein, but employing a much smaller lineation pitch (with a concomitant greater number of lineations) is most efficacious. If the lineations exceed 250 to the inch, the moire effect in the replica will be noticeable to the unaided eye, even with standard and unsophisticated copiers/replicators. This lineation frequency (250 lines/inch) is significantly higher than that used in the industry, today.

Landscapes

• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
• Finance (AREA)
• Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
• Printing Methods (AREA)
• Glass Compositions (AREA)
• Transition And Organic Metals Composition Catalysts For Addition Polymerization (AREA)
• Diaphragms For Electromechanical Transducers (AREA)
• Facsimile Scanning Arrangements (AREA)
• Projection-Type Copiers In General (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Related Child Applications (1)

Publications (3)

Family

ID=23148660

Family Applications (2)

Family Applications Before (1)

Country Status (9)

Families Citing this family (111)

Citations (6)

Family Cites Families (15)

• 1989
  • 1989-01-18 US US07/298,020 patent/US5018767A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 1990
  • 1990-01-16 WO PCT/US1990/000221 patent/WO1990008046A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1990-01-16 DK DK90904485T patent/DK0455750T3/da active
  • 1990-01-16 AT AT90904485T patent/ATE186876T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1990-01-16 CA CA002045580A patent/CA2045580C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1990-01-16 AU AU51877/90A patent/AU640370B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 1990-01-16 DE DE69033362T patent/DE69033362T2/de not_active Ceased
  • 1990-01-16 ES ES90904485T patent/ES2140377T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1990-01-16 EP EP99102243A patent/EP0938981A3/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1990-01-16 EP EP90904485A patent/EP0455750B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime

Patent Citations (6)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events